Rice University
SMU
Swimmers Defeat SMU Saturday, 155-106
1/9/2021 2:15:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
Parish & Campbell Win Two Events Each
The tandem of Shannon Campbell and Ellery Parish both won a pair of individual events to help lead the Rice swim team to a 155-106 dual meet victory at SMU Saturday afternoon in Dallas (Jan. 9).
Parish and Campbell combined for four event wins as the Owls claimed nine of the day's 14 races – a true swimming meet as there no diving events contested. Rice has now defeated longtime swim foe SMU in dual meets in each of the last four consecutive seasons.
The Owls jumped out to a 1-2 sweep of the top spots in the 400-medley relay (3:48.14) and never looked back. Campbell followed with a comfortable win in the 1,000-freestyle then later rallied for a come-from-behind win the 500 to win by less than one second, 5:05.17 ahead of second place 5:06.10.
Parish was in control on the way to leading a 1-2-3 Rice finish in the 200-freestyle with a time of 1:52.46. The sweep seemed to provide a spark as the Owls came right back with another 1-2-3 finish in the very next event, the 100-backstroke led by freshman Imogen Meers (55.88). Rice, however, wasn't quite finished. The Owls notched two more 1-2-3 finishes in both butterfly events, led by freshmen Lauren Hurt in the 100 (56.22) and Elizabeth Myers in the 200 (2:03.02).
Owl head coach Seth Huston, now in his 19th season at the helm of the program, liked what he saw as the Blue & Gray swept both ends of the weekend road swing that also included a 175-118 C-USA dual victory at North Texas on Friday.
"It was a return to glory for Ellery!," Coach Huston exclaimed. "She had to great races and had her stellar finishes towards double-golds. Shannon owned the distance events today. She came from behind the 500 and crushed the finish.
"I was really happy today and this weekend overall with our freshmen," he added. "They made some big contributions and had their best overall performances to date."
The Owls improved to 3-1 in dual meets this season. The Owls are next in action at state foe Incarnate Word on Jan. 23 (Sat.).
Players Mentioned
